Heritage portion of Saskatchewan Drive to receive facelift in 2024

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As the City of Regina prepares for major improvements along 11th Avenue in the downtown, Saskatchewan Drive is also set to undergo a period of revitalization.

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Step one, of phase one, in this project is approving and awarding a “professional service contract” for a company to complete the “preliminary details, design and construction serives” for the plan.

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Since these services will exceed $750,000, council has to approve the posting of a Negotiated Request for Proposal (NRFP).

This week council voted unanimously in favour, approving sending the matter forward to city council for final approval  Feb. 22.

Proposed to start construction in 2024, phase one of the project is estimated to cost, in terms of design and construction, approximately $19.4 million. This portion of the project will occur between Broad Street and Winnipeg Street. The aim is to “revitalize Saskatchewan Drive” which is part of a larger project to improve the roadway through the city core. Phase two will occur in the downtown from Albert Street to Broad Street and phase three will occur in the Cathedral neighbourhood from Albert Street to McTavish Street.

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Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk (Ward 1) asked what the overall hopes for the design and function of the corridor will be.

Karen Gasmo, director of sustainable infrastructure, said the downtown neighbourhood plan described different “grand avenues” through the downtown. The transit master plan and community plan also serve as a template.

“We’ve done two public consultations and number of surveys,” about what people would like to see the stretch of road look like, said Gasmo.

Stadnichuk was concerned this would become “another speedway” and wondered what would be done to better accommodate alternative methods of transportation. Quoting the report, she read the corridor project aims to support public transit through enhanced connections to transit stops, while “promoting a range of transportation choices through new and improved active transportation infrastructure.”

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Gasmo said the city is looking for wider sidewalks, a multi-use pathway along the Drive and while improvement to traffic capacity will be made, there will also be safety improvements, trees and other “amenities” to “beautify the public realm.”

“A number of additional elements to what we see out there today,” said Gasmo.

Mayor Sandra Masters asked why this area, Heritage, was selected as phase one for the project. Gasmo said it was in part due to the ease of the project, since the city owns much of the land. “It seemed like the logical place for us to begin the project,” she said.

Given work occurring on 11th Avenue in 2024, Masters asked if there was a chance 11th Avenue and Saskatchewan Drive construction could lead to traffic issues.

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“There’s no way we shut down Sask. Drive and 11th Ave parallel to each other at the same time, correct?” asked the mayor.

Administration said there will be disruptions but the city will do its best to maintain “decent traffic flow through the city centre” said Gasmo.

Coun. Jason Mancinelli (Ward 9) asked what considerations will be made to businesses along the corridor while construction takes place. Gasmo said the city will “develop plans that will be respectful to whether its business or homeowners” to make sure appropriate plans have been made.

“We will make sure there are access points and that no businesses are cut off from access and people can sustain their businesses,” said Gasmo.

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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